Negotiations History

The most recent round of negotiations to transfer public land, water and resource management to the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) began in 2001 with a Memorandum of Intent. Side negotiations also began at this time about how the GNWT and Aboriginal governments will share resource revenues and work together to coordinate land and resource management across jurisdictions.

Negotiations for a final devolution agreement, a final resource revenue sharing agreement and an intergovernmental cooperation agreement are currently in progress.

2001

Memorandum of Intent – The GNWT, Government of Canada and Aboriginal Summit (a caucus comprised of NWT Aboriginal governments) establish their intent to negotiate the transfer of public land, water and resource management to the GNWT.

Proposed Final Devolution Agreement – The Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated (SSI), Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC), and Tlicho Government (TG) sign the Devolution AiP. Negotiations for a final Agreement concluded in March of 2013.

2013

Final Devolution Agreement – The Government of Canada, Government of the Northwest Territories, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated (SSI), Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC), and Tlicho Government (TG) sign the Northwest Territories Land and Resources Devolution Agreement on June 25, 2013 in Inuvik, NWT.

2013

Legislation Introduced – The GNWT and Government of Canada introduced legislation to implement the devolution agreement in late 2013.

As part of related but separate negotiations, a Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement-in-Principle was signed in 2007 by the GNWT and participating Aboriginal governments. It states that the GNWT will share up to 25% of its portion of resource revenues with participating Aboriginal governments – an resource revenue sharing arrangement unprecedented in Canada. A final resource revenue sharing agreement is currently under negotiation among the GNWT, IRC, NWTMN, SSI, GTC and TG.